Use Of Tertiary Amine To Control Rheology Of Unit Dose Detergent Pack

Abstract

A unit dose detergent pack includes a pouch and a detergent composition encapsulated within the pouch. The detergent composition includes a surfactant component including an alcohol ethoxy sulfate having a C8-C20 backbone that is ethoxylated with from about 1 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide and is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent actives, water present in a total amount of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, and a particular tertiary amine present in an amount of at least about 0.5 weight percent actives. The detergent composition has a viscosity of less than about 5,000 cps when diluted with additional water at about a 2:1 weight ratio of the detergent composition:water. The block copolymer is incorporated as a rheology modifying agent.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to a unit dose pack that includes a detergent composition, and methods of forming both the composition and the pack. More specifically, the disclosure relates to inclusion of a tertiary amine which facilitates dilution of a detergent composition.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many current detergent compositions include surfactants, such as sodium laureth sulfate. However, these types of surfactants typically gel upon dilution with water. For example, detergent compositions that that include sodium laureth sulfate are known to be potentially difficult to work with because of the tendency to gel and form near solid masses that can be difficult to dissolve. For example, such detergent compositions can have viscosities upon dilution with water that approach 400 Pa·S when measured at a shear rate of 0.42 l / sec using commonly available rheometers. If these surfactants gel in unit dose packs, the compositions are not su...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The detergent composition described in this patent has several technical effects. It reduces the viscosity of the composition, which allows for larger amounts of water to be included in unit dose packs, simplifies formulations, reduces chemical waste and production costs, and decreases production time. Additionally, it increases the cleaning effectiveness and allows the detergent to exit from the package faster. This composition also maintains a consistent low viscosity profile to enhance hydration and dissolution. Overall, this patent provides a detergent composition with improved rheology properties that enhance the performance of the detergent product.

Problems solved by technology

However, these types of surfactants typically gel upon dilution with water.

For example, detergent compositions that that include sodium laureth sulfate are known to be potentially difficult to work with because of the tendency to gel and form near solid masses that can be difficult to dissolve.

If these surfactants gel in unit dose packs, the compositions are not suitable for cleaning various surfaces and stains because the surfactants do not homogeneously disperse in water.

Moreover, even if the surfactants undergo a gel phase and then break apart, their cleaning effectiveness is still reduced.

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